Shire leaders hit back at criticism

The Shire of Esperance’s president and chief executive have defended their handling of several major issues after public censure at last week’s annual electors’ meeting.

About 200 residents attended last week’s meeting at the Esperance Civic Centre, where motions were passed calling on the council to choose another site for the waste facility and “desist from advocating demolition of the jetty as the only course forward”.

Motions were also passed which said the proposed nickel sulphate plant site was “unsuitable”, and for the council to review Matthew Scott’s “performance and suitability” as chief executive.

Cr Victoria Brown yesterday said there appeared to be a constant chipping away at the council and the chief executive.

“I would question, what is the intent?” she said. She called for the community to seek clarity about jetty restoration and the waste facility from the council, rather than from third parties.

“If there are issues the community feels have not been addressed properly, please bring the facts to the table,” she said.

“If they feel that there has to be an investigation into the Shire and the council, do that.

“We truly believe that we have nothing to hide. Everything we have done has been open and accountable.”

Mr Scott said claims made about the council and its administration had not been substantiated.

“Council takes whatever comes out of the annual electors’ meeting very seriously,” he said.

“(But) how do we answer generalised claims of mismanagement?”

The annual electors’ meeting motions will be considered at this month’s ordinary council meeting, or possibly at a special meeting.

Friends of the Esperance Tanker Jetty Association Tony Bright said residents at the meeting overwhelmingly endorsed the motions critical of the council.

He said concerns about the environmental damage that would be caused by the proposed tip and the nickel sulphate plant reflected the community’s feelings about these proposals.

“Without consulting with concerned landowners and the community, the Shire has made unthinkable blunders without any regard to the impact of their decisions,” he said.

“Only the Shire rejects the idea of a cost-effective rebuild that retains the jetty structure’s cultural fabric and its marketing appeal to attract visitors to our town and keep them here.”

Mr Bright said the lack of an open and accountable response from councillors would lead to another electors’ meeting.